A once again much changed Civil Service side traveled over the river to face a strong Holme Lacey first team. Having comfortably defeated their reserves 4-1 a few weeks previously Service were optimistic for this game. This reflected in a strong opening spell which should have resulted in a goal within 10 seconds with Pete Atkin hitting over with just the keeper to beat.

Civil Service continued to press and created several other chances before eventually  speculative Terry Calder effort from out wide found the top corner to put them in front. Holme Lacey immediately pressed for an equaliser and some good defending kept them at bay. Despite Holme Lacey starting to dominate Service kept creating their own opportunities despite Paul Kaye having to lead the field with a bad head injury after a keeper’s clearance hit him directly in the face – the referee somehow awarded a free kick for hand ball despite Kaye’s head gushing with blood!

This was a sign of things to come as several decisions went against Service and none more so that a stonewall penalty when Chris Gaywood was upended when rounding the goalkeeper. Lacey took advantage of this as they found the equaliser after some poor defending. The direct route football Lacey played was causing Service problems and led to two more goals before half time, the latter after an unfortunate slip by Simms as he was about to clear.

With a strong squad at hand, there were several changes made at the break and a bright opening eventually led to a goal for Gaywood after good work by Rupert Lawrence. With Service pushing looking for an equaliser, Holme Lacey found the net again to keep a two goal cushion. Once again Service responded and managed to score after a fine corner from Jelfs which though helped into the net by a Lacey defender was on it’s way there already. The fightback was however short-lived as a dubious penalty and some late Lacey goals put some gloss on the result and marred what was a strong Service performance and highlighted the strong squad in place for the coming season. With Jones, Morris and Chapman missing the team still produced a good display of football and showed plenty of spirit.

Team: Gay, Jelfs, T.Calder, Johnson, Simms, Judd, A.Atkin, P.Atkin, Kaye, Gaywood, Parrett

Subs: R.Calder, Sadler, M.Nottingham, Morgan, Lawrence, Ridley